Power cycling – methods, measurement accuracy, comparability

Abstract:
Power cycling capability is a main criterion for the design of power electronics equipment. It is a clear progress that there is now a European standard for power modules. Power electronics evolves to higher power density packages. This leads to systematic measurement errors which have been neglected in the past. They are now of significant influence and should be considered as well. Going from Si to SiC devices and especially SiC MOSFETs, a test method is suggested. More semiconductor physics related effects have to be taken into account, and not all modifications during ageing of a device can be adjusted to the ageing of the interconnections, as it is practice with Si. A more detailed test documentation is recommended.